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    How do you prepare a new SSD for first time use?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by garetjax, Mar 6, 2011.

  1. garetjax

    garetjax NBR Freelance Reviewer NBR Reviewer

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    Can anyone tell me what is the correct/proper way to prepare a new SSD for first time use for a fresh install of Windows 7?

    The SSD in question is a Corsair F120 if it matters.

    Thanks! :)
     
    garetjax, Mar 6, 2011
    #1
  2. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    I would set the SATA operation to AHCI in the BIOS if it allows you to. Reinstalling Windows from a fresh install should align the drive.
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Mar 6, 2011
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  3. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    except for what tsunade said: just enjoy it.
     
    davepermen, Mar 6, 2011
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  4. Thisisalamp

    Thisisalamp Notebook Deity

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    I'd like to know too. Using a Corsair F60.

    I've read about the pagefile system on the SSDs; someone mentioned about using the RAM instead of the SSD to prolong the read/writes and life.

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...-intel-series-4-5-965-chipsets-jjb-tweak.html

    And also, does the Intel RST drivers apply to Corsair drives?

    I really like to make the most of my SSD, and not waste money for another purchase in the years to come, unless needed.
     
    Thisisalamp, Mar 7, 2011
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  5. vinuneuro

    vinuneuro Notebook Virtuoso

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    Is there any benefit in loading the RST driver before installing Windows? I thought I saw that recommended in the past.
     
    vinuneuro, Mar 7, 2011
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  6. Thisisalamp

    Thisisalamp Notebook Deity

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    Thisisalamp, Mar 7, 2011
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  7. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Pagefile doesn't harm your ssd at all. Except if you have really not enough ram (like, 512mb only, or something)
     
    davepermen, Mar 7, 2011
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  8. Amnesiac

    Amnesiac 404

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    Intel Rapid Storage Technology apples to any machine which uses an Intel SATA/AHCI controller.

    Microsoft actually has a default driver that is loaded with Windows which will do the job fine for any casual user, but I would always try out the latest IRST version, as it will most likely provide a performance increase.

    Also, if you have a computer with 4GB or less of RAM, don't use an SSD. 6GB is the minimum these days. 8GB is the standard.
     
    Amnesiac, Mar 7, 2011
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  9. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    is it with those strange recomendations i read sometimes.

    an ssd is independent on the ram. i use it on a laptop with 1.5gb ram, on one with 2.5gb ram. they work perfectly fine and fast, and i'm most of the time not filling the ram.

    some of those, you can't expand the ram anymore really without soldering.
     
    davepermen, Mar 7, 2011
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  10. Thisisalamp

    Thisisalamp Notebook Deity

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    Thanks for the info.

    A side note, I think I phrased one of my questions earlier wrongly (pagefile thing) :D.

    I read somewhere that there's a way of directing the SSD's writes to your RAM, or is that automatically done? Is this anyway related to what you were saying about the minimum 6GB RAM?
     
    Thisisalamp, Mar 7, 2011
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  11. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    you could do that, but you have no gain in doing so, but only hazzles. so just leave it as it, it's MADE FOR THAT.
     
    davepermen, Mar 7, 2011
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  12. Thisisalamp

    Thisisalamp Notebook Deity

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    okay I'll probably leave it at that :) Thanks!
     
    Thisisalamp, Mar 7, 2011
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  13. 3Fees

    3Fees Notebook Deity

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    After installing the ssd into your notebook drive bay, just put in the windows 7 retail disk of choice 32 bit or 64 bit(recommended), Windows 7 will do the rest, select quick format option when it shows up and windows 7 will align the drive and set it up,

    Corsairs FAQ's

    Force Series? F120 Solid-State Hard Drive - Force Series - Solid-State Drives

    Heres a link to Microsoft development of SSD's and Windows 7

    http://blogs.msdn.com/b/e7/archive/2009/05/05/support-and-q-a-for-solid-state-drives-and.aspx

    Cheers
    3Fees
     
    3Fees, Mar 8, 2011
    #13